MCN Fleet

What have we learned after 5000 miles on the café-style Kawasaki Z900RS? After trackdays, commutes and even a trip to the TT, MCN Senior Road Tester Adam Child reveals all. 100 miles Even...

'Three wheels on my wagon' There’s been a buzz around the office this week, with the arrival of the Yamaha Niken we’ve been squabbling over who gets first dibs to take it for a spin. I’ve waited...

It begins with a low and even rumble. Then it morphs into a wild animal, screeching and growling. Next comes the induction roar as it gulps in oxygen. Finally you reach the full fat screaming as the...

Q Do you miss having adjustable suspension? Johnny Hinds, on email In a way their absence of any damping adjusters is liberating, particularly at trackdays. This is an uncluttered motorcycle with a...

Ducati Scrambler 1100 Special long term test review Sports reporter Oli Rushby is spending the summer with Ducati's Scrambler 1100 Special... as well as a hefty 138-mile round trip commute to our...

I couldn’t wait to get my hands on the new Honda CB1000R. I knew it was on it’s way, but before I would get the key, it was going to be pressed into action, taking part in MCN’s 250 up against...

Update 6: Ducati V4 S - 3100-miles in 10 days  Published 20 September 2018 Our 550-mile, 12 and a half hour schlep north from Ronta near, Mugello, to Strasbourg in France, is the longest riding...

Update 6: Reader Q&A Published: 16.09.18 'How would it cope with being used in winter?' - Jonathan Mahiques-Pearce At the beginning of the year, I found that in order to keep on top of the...

UPDATE 2: Getting Dirty with the F850 GS I have to admit that I’m not really the off road type. Sure I was a dirt bike junkie as a kid but my love for off road dwindled and I’ve become more...

I've had the odd go on an electric bike, but actually owning one, running one day in and day out is a whole different ball game. First of all there's the lack of a clutch, of gears, of engine noise.

Update 2: 5000 miles has proven that the MT-09 SP is far more than just a middleweight naked 100 miles The SP looks stunning for a £9k bike. This is the performance version of the MT-09 with a...

A very full day in the saddle We’ve been in love with the idea of sports-tourers ever since Honda wheeled out the VFR750F and the camps of ‘sporty but comfortable’ were first able to coexist in one...

MCN Fleet: Honda Africa Twin Adventure Sport On route to the TET - let the adventure begin Twelve months ago I met a guy who was on his way back from riding in Spain. He was on a fully loaded CCM...

When I took delivery of Suzuki’s A2-compliant GSX250R last August, I was full of interest. This was the smallest capacity bike I’d ridden since the unreliable (but beautiful) Aprilia RS50 I had at...

An email from MCN reader Jim Scott struck up the thought about the Yamaha XMAX 400’s seat height, something I never took a second look at before. Perhaps because I’ve ridden a few bikes now which I...

The term ‘Man maths’ refers to using semi-rational reasons, rather than the actual figures, to justify  your purchase. It’s an expression I use at home all-to-often. For example, last year I...

It’s an age since I first set eyes on the Honda X-ADV. Like all good love affairs I remember the exact moment in time, the MCN Show in London last year is etched on my mind for eternity. A three-month...

From my previous update, you’ll know I can fit three bags full of food under the seat of the XMAX. Now I was going to France for a weekend, could the 33bhp scoot hack going aboard? And be comfortable?...

I love the D940, it hugs the coast from Calais to Le Touquet, the undulating sweepers and fabulous final destination make it my obvious choice for a winter weekender. I’m sure a 500 mile trip in near...

The Rider’s View I’ve been riding for 13 years and whenever asked to take a pillion I’ve always dodged the bullet. The great ‘what if’ makes me twitchy and someone else’s safety being in my hands...

I’m proud to be an all-year-round rider. Britain’s winter might throw crappy weather, greasy roads and that lovely salt-laden sludge that seems to get just about everywhere at us, but there is still...

You may remember I was considering winterising the XMAX. You know the sort of thing: looking at different tyres, extended screens and hand guards, keeping on top of the grime... In truth, however –...

After two blown bulbs in 5450 miles and a two-week trip back to Suzuki to try and diagnose the problem during its 6000-mile service interval, it looked as if the GSX250R’s electrical woes had finally...

Winter hack or garage ornament?   I have been guilty of being a fair weather rider I must admit so it’s time to man up and brave the elements. Chances are most naked sporty numbers are left...

Truth be told, I wasn’t entirely sure of what to expect from the Ninja 650 at the start of last year. Wannabe sportsbike, commuter, sports-tourer or a frugal and friendly bike for new riders? But the...

It’s midnight as I pull into the services just south of Stafford on the M6. My X-ADV needs fuel and more importantly, I need to warm up. There’s a Days Inn Motel that looks welcoming but home’s only...

Late last year, I embarked on a 190-mile journey down to West Sussex from my home in Lincolnshire to visit Advanced Riding Techniques (ART) in Crawley. The trip was primarily for a feature on how to...

Having covered just over 8,000 miles on Suzuki’s V Strom 650 XT since April, I thought it was about time I answered a number of your questions! Here are just some of the questions I’ve been sent on...

Earlier in my time with Kawasaki’s Ninja 650, I decided to replace the standard exhaust for an aftermarket Arrow system as I was interested in finding out if (and what) more could be achieved. While...

This morning didn’t start well. I glance out of my kitchen window and a fallen fence greets me, annoyingly it’s the one we’re responsible for. Loads of branches from the trees at the bottom of our...

Until last month, the KTM’s 125 Duke was my main mode of transport. It was lovely, but after I passed my test, the urge for more power took over. And to be honest I needed it – my 62-mile round trip...

My first 500 miles with the big XT have mainly been a baptism of ice and snow, rather than fire. Against a landscape of monochrome chilliness, there's nothing more comforting than a simplistically...

In just under 5500 miles of riding, the Suzuki GSX250R’s main headlight bulb has blown twice; once at just over 3000 miles and a second time on my way home yesterday evening, at around 5450 miles. The...

Ten years ago if you wanted a bagger a Harley was the only option but now there are plenty. The nearest rival is the Indian Chieftain but the formula (big twin + fork mounted fairing = American...

It’s a bittersweet ending with KTM’s 125 Duke. Our time together has seen me develop my riding and enjoy most of what biking has on offer. We’ve even conquered the A1M on our daily commute and her...

Opening the curtains and seeing rain drops cascading down my window meant the last thing I wanted to do was take a bike to the track and put in some laps. But this was the first real opportunity I’d...